"I'm not writing anyone off," said the 72-year-old Scot, adding United, now managed by David Moyes, are always strong in the second half of a season.

Speaking to BBC sports editor David Bond, Ferguson praised the top six - Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea, Spurs, Everton and Liverpool - but said United are "in behind them chasing".

The Old Trafford giants have struggled in Moyes's first season in charge having been eliminated from both
the FA Cup
and
Capital One Cup,
although they progressed smoothly into the last 16 of the Champions League.

United also suffered three successive defeats for the first time since 2001 in seven days in January, beaten by Tottenham, Swansea and Sunderland.

They are six points adrift of fourth-placed Liverpool and risk missing out on the Champions League for the first time since 1995.

Ferguson added: "I find it very difficult to pick the top four. I find it even more difficult to say who is going to win the league."

Moyes qualified for the Champions League once with Everton in 2005, but they were eliminated by Villarreal in the play-off round.

BBC links

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